Our View: A school to make Somerset and Berkley proud

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2014 at 6:30 PM

We got a sneak peek of the new Somerset Berkley Regional High School building, and it is a sight to behold. The state-of-the-art facility was completed on time and on budget — quite a feat for a large project like this.

Editorial Board

We got a sneak peek of the new Somerset Berkley Regional High School building, and it is a sight to behold. The state-of-the-art facility was completed on time and on budget — quite a feat for a large project like this.

School administrators, including newly promoted Principal David Lanczycki, and vice principals Susan Brelsford and Kim DeCouto, began moving into their offices this week. Athletes involved in fall sports will begin to use the athletic facilities in mid-August.

With the school set to open for teachers Aug. 27, with freshmen beginning Sept. 2 and the rest of the students starting Sept. 3, teachers and students will see a major upgrade in their learning environment from the old high school, built in 1936.

The public will get its first close-up look of the building following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school on Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. About 40 student leaders will guide the tours of the new school. The new building features three levels dedicated to academics and two stories of common areas. Meanwhile, it’s not just students and teachers who will be able to enjoy these facilities. Some of the common spaces will be open to the public, making the new state-of-the-art high school a great resource for the entire Somerset-Berkley regional community.

One of the highlights includes the gorgeous two-story, oak paneled library with natural lighting, making the library a place where students will want to study, work on projects, conduct research and read. Modern technology in the library includes rows of computer stations and media equipment.

The professional-quality auditorium, meanwhile, will offer state-of-the-art equipment and a space for students and the community to showcase their talents and take in the arts and culture. The auditorium, seating 800, will be available for public use via rental fees, a new source of revenue for the school. It also offers a great venue for town meetings.

The gymnasium, meanwhile, can seat up to 3,200 people and with audio and visual equipment, events occurring in the nearby auditorium can be simulcast these. It features a walnut gym floor, with four layers supporting cushioning and play.

The cafeteria, featuring natural lighting, opens out to a patio where students and teachers will be able to dine “al fresco.” With the natural lighting available, the school district may be able to save energy and electricity costs.

The $82.38 million project, with 60 percent of the cost reimbursed by the state after the two communities voted to regionalize, represents the end of a controversial 15-year quest to build the new school. The all-volunteer building committee, which has spent the past three years overseeing the new construction, deserves a lot of credit for their great work.

It is clear to see how this new school will be an ideal learning environment for Somerset and Berkley students. Now that the regional high school is set to open in a little over a month, all residents of Somerset and Berkley ought to take some time to appreciate the great investment in their communities’ children this new building will represent for generations to come.

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